When you’re grieving the loss of someone precious, planning their funeral can feel overwhelming, but asking the right questions provides clarity during this difficult time. Whether pre-planning or facing immediate need, these 20 essential questions help you choose a funeral director offering compassionate care, transparent pricing, and professional service.
Brisbane families often feel rushed into decisions during loss, but reputable funeral directors never pressure you. Don’t hesitate to ask these questions because compassionate directors welcome them as opportunities demonstrating commitment to your family’s needs and peace of mind.
Every family’s needs differ, and costs vary dramatically from $4,000 to $15,000 depending on services chosen. Understanding what to ask and expect helps you make informed decisions honouring your loved one while protecting your family from unnecessary stress or financial burden. These questions serve as your essential funeral director checklist, ensuring you cover all important topics when making arrangements.
20 Questions to Ask a Funeral Director
Cost & fees
1. What are my options for paying for a funeral?
Brisbane families can pay via cash, cheque, credit card, or bank transfer, with costs from $3,295 (no-service cremation) to $11,000+ (new grave burial). Pre-planning options include funeral bonds (managed investments released only for funeral costs) and funeral insurance (regular premiums for lump sum payouts). Anton Brown’s preferred option is Sure Plan, with terms explained during arrangements. All pricing includes GST with transparent breakdowns, though weekend/holiday services incur additional fees.
Read more about the main payment options for paying for a funeral.
2. Do you provide itemised price lists for all services?
Reputable funeral directors should provide detailed, written price lists breaking down every service and cost. At Anton Brown Funerals, our transparent pricing includes itemised breakdowns:
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- service fee ($4,995)
- cemetery fees ($3,170-5,530)
- cremation fees ($755-1,255)
- coffins ($660-1,975+)
- flowers ($275)
- celebrants ($550)
- livestreaming ($660)
This transparency helps families compare options and avoid surprise charges. Request written estimates during your first meeting and avoid providers who won’t provide written pricing.
3. What does your basic service fee cover?
Anton Brown’s $4,995 service fee includes:
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- transport from place of death to funeral home ($350)
- transport to service venue ($350)
- mortuary storage ($250)
- care and preparation including viewing ($950)
- arrangement and conduct of funeral service ($850)
- staff wages and insurance ($1,045)
- vehicle maintenance ($600)
- administration costs ($600)
This comprehensive breakdown ensures families understand exactly what they’re paying for. Ask other providers for similar detailed breakdowns to compare true value rather than headline prices.
Services & staff
4. Which services do you handle in-house versus outsource?
Understanding which services are handled directly versus subcontracted ensures consistent quality and communication. Anton Brown Funerals handles transport, body care, arrangement coordination, and funeral direction in-house with qualified staff. We coordinate with trusted third-party providers for flowers, catering, and livestreaming while maintaining direct oversight.
Some providers outsource most services, creating communication gaps or quality inconsistencies. So, ask specifically about embalming, transport, body preparation, and ceremony coordination to understand who will care for your loved one.
5. Are your staff available 24/7 for immediate needs?
Death doesn’t follow business hours, so 24/7 availability is crucial for immediate response and family support. Anton Brown Funerals maintains 24-hour availability for initial calls, body collection, and urgent arrangements. Our qualified funeral directors respond personally rather than using answering services or untrained staff, ensuring families receive professional support immediately. We charge $440 for after-hours transfer, $450 on public holidays.
Ask about response times, who responds to calls, and whether qualified directors are available around the clock.
6. What are your embalming policies and associated costs?
Embalming preserves the body for viewing but isn’t always necessary. At Anton Brown Funerals, embalming costs from $880 depending on the state of the deceased and is required for repatriation services but optional for local services. Some families prefer natural body care, while others want embalming for extended viewing or delayed burial.
Ask about alternatives like refrigeration, whether embalming is mandatory for viewing, cultural or religious considerations, and costs.
7. What is a no-service cremation?
Direct cremation involves cremating the deceased without a traditional funeral service, with ashes returned to family afterwards. At Anton Brown Funerals, this costs $3,295 and includes basic chipboard coffin, transport to crematorium, care and preparation of the body, plus required cremation permit. Queensland requires 48-hour waiting periods and proper documentation.
Families can hold separate memorial services at meaningful locations afterward. This option suits those preferring intimate private memorials, families with limited budgets, or when the deceased requested simplicity.
Read more information about direct no-service cremations.
The arrangement process
8. What should I bring to the initial discussion with the funeral director?
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- Deceased’s identification: Personal documents showing full legal name and birth details, along with Parents details (First and last name, occupations, Marriages and children of deceased.
- Details of death circumstances: date, time, location, and attending physician
- Other records: life insurance policies, military service records, and prepaid funeral plans
- Recent photographs: to help with obituaries and memorial displays
- The deceased’s preferences: about burial vs cremation, budget considerations, and timing needs
- List of people requiring notification
Most importantly, bring a trusted support person for emotional help and note-taking. Don’t stress, we’ll help you obtain any missing documents.
Our comprehensive funeral planning checklist covers everything else you’ll need to think about.
9. Where will my loved one be kept and cared for until the funeral?
Anton Brown Funerals maintains our mortuary facility at our Woolloongabba office at 57 Balaclava Street, where your loved one receives professional care in dignified conditions. Our qualified staff handles all preparation on-site rather than transferring to third-party facilities.
Some providers use off-site storage or shared facilities, affecting communication and care standards. For that reason, we recommend asking about facility location, care standards, security measures, visiting policies, and whether preparation happens on-site to ensure appropriate, respectful care.
10. How is a person’s death registered and how do I obtain death certificates?
Death registration is legally required in Queensland and handled by funeral directors on your behalf. We complete the Queensland Government Death Registration Form using information you provide, coordinate with medical professionals, and submit registration within 24-48 hours through the eDeath system. Death certificates ($70 each) are automatically applied for and issued within 10 business days. Multiple certified copies are needed for insurance, banking, and legal purposes. We handle all paperwork and coordination with Births Deaths and Marriages Queensland, removing administrative burden from families without additional fees.
Learn more about how to obtain a death certificate.
11. Can you visit our home to discuss arrangements?
Home visits provide comfort and convenience during difficult times, allowing families to discuss arrangements in familiar, private surroundings. Many funeral directors offer this service, particularly for families who prefer not to visit funeral homes or have mobility limitations.
Some providers charge extra for home consultations, while others, like Anton Brown Funerals, include this as standard service. Ask your funeral director about availability, associated costs, what services can be arranged during home visits, and whether this affects the arrangement process.
Personalisation & ceremony
12. How can I make the service more personalised and memorable?
Personalisation creates meaningful tributes reflecting your loved one’s unique life. Options include order of service booklets with photos that become cherished mementos, visual presentations with video slideshows set to meaningful music, flowers reflecting favourite blooms or colours, music bringing back special memories, and military honours for veterans including Last Post and flag draping. We work with families to incorporate elements reflecting personality, interests, and values, creating authentic, comforting services that celebrate memories.
We share six ways to personalise a funeral in this blog.
13. What music can be played at the funeral?
Music personalises services and creates emotional connections. Choose from religious hymns, classical pieces, contemporary songs, or tracks with special meaning to the deceased. We provide suggested playlists including traditional options like “Amazing Grace”, contemporary choices like “My Heart Will Go On”, and classics like “Danny Boy”. Families shouldn’t hesitate to include non-traditional music reflecting their loved one’s personality. We coordinate with venues regarding sound system capabilities, volume restrictions, and whether live musicians or recorded music works better.
Browse meaningful music ideas to personalise your loved one’s funeral service.
14. What flowers can I choose from?
Floral arrangements provide meaningful personalisation within any budget. Options include casket sprays placed on coffins, single flowers, or small wreaths, and we often incorporate favourite flowers or colours as special tributes. Anton Brown Funerals customises arrangements by specifying flower types, colours, and shapes according to your preferences. Fresh flowers and Australian natives are available, with standard tributes costing approximately $275. In lieu of flowers, many families select charity donations, noted in funeral notices. Browse our floral tribute options.
15. Where can the funeral, burial or cremation take place?
Funeral services can be held anywhere: funeral homes, churches, community centres, parks, beaches, or family properties. Burial must occur at licensed cemeteries, while cremation happens at authorised crematoriums like Pinnaroo or Mt Thompson. Pre-purchased cemetery plots may determine burial location. Consider guest capacity, accessibility needs, and Brisbane’s humid climate when choosing venues. Costs range from free (family property) to $2,000+ (premium venues). Religious traditions may require specific locations. We handle logistics across Brisbane and surrounding regions seamlessly.
More details about Brisbane funeral venues and locations.
Support & resources
16. What grief support services do you offer?
Quality funeral directors provide ongoing support beyond the service itself. Ask about grief counselling resources, professional referrals, legal documentation assistance, follow-up support weeks and months later, memorial options for anniversaries, and support group recommendations.
Anton Brown Funerals understands that grief doesn’t end when services conclude. Our compassionate team can advise on and provide referrals to professional grief counsellors, support groups, and community resources. This ensures families know where to find ongoing support well beyond the funeral service.
17. How is a funeral livestreamed?
Funeral livestreaming allows distant family and friends to participate virtually when travel isn’t possible due to distance, illness, financial constraints, or physical limitations. Anton Brown Funerals offers livestreaming as an optional service including professional videographer setup and recording. Church service livestreaming costs approximately $660. This service helps families stay connected during important farewells, ensuring everyone can participate in honouring their loved one.
Read our blog for more information on Funeral Live Streams.
18. Can you provide references from recent Brisbane families you’ve served?
References and testimonials offer valuable insights into actual service quality and customer satisfaction. Professional funeral directors readily provide recent client testimonials with permission to contact, online reviews across multiple platforms, professional references from local clergy or celebrants, and industry accreditation or recognition. We encourage families to check our reviews and speak with recent clients about their experience.
Be cautious of providers who cannot provide references, have consistently negative reviews mentioning hidden costs or poor service, or seem evasive about their reputation in the Brisbane community. Quality providers are proud of their service record.
Company structure & qualifications
19. Are you an independent funeral home or part of a larger chain?
Company structure affects pricing, service flexibility, and decision-making processes. Independent funeral homes like Anton Brown Funerals provide more personalised service, flexible arrangements, and direct communication with decision-makers. We’ve served Brisbane families since 1995 as a locally owned business understanding community needs and values.
Larger chain funeral homes offer standardised services but lack flexibility for unique requests. Independent providers have stronger community connections and adapt services to local customs. Ask about local ownership, community involvement, and how structure affects service delivery and pricing flexibility.
20. What’s the difference between burial and cremation?
During cremation, the deceased’s body is respectfully reduced to ashes through a controlled process, with remains returned in a sealed urn. Burial involves placing the deceased in a coffin and laying them to rest in a cemetery plot. Cremation typically costs $2,000-4,000 less than burial and can happen within 24-48 hours, while burial may require 3-7 days (because Queensland law requires a 48-hour waiting period before cremation).
Compare burial and cremation options for Brisbane families.
Bonus questions: complete funeral planning guide
Beyond the 20 essential questions, these additional topics ensure comprehensive funeral planning and address specific family situations.
Funeral process & timeline
21. How long between death and a funeral?
Australian funerals typically occur within one week of passing. Practical considerations include family travel time, venue availability, celebrant schedules, and weekend surcharges from cemeteries and crematoriums. Most Brisbane funerals fall on Thursdays and Fridays. While there’s no strict legal timeframe, we don’t recommend waiting longer than a month. We work with each family to plan appropriate timing without rushing decisions during your difficult time.
Learn more about funeral timing considerations and planning.
22. What happens to the coffin when someone is cremated?
The coffin is cremated with the deceased in the cremation chamber. Flowers are removed before cremation begins. The entire process takes up to four hours. Afterwards, metallic contents like coffin nails are removed from remains, which are ground to powder-like consistency. Expensive coffins offer no advantage since they won’t be preserved, so many families choose simple coffins and invest in beautiful urns instead.
Details about the cremation process in this blog.
Communication & memorial planning
23. How do I organise catering for a wake or gathering?
Catering for post-service gatherings is available through Australian Catering Services, though each venue has their own caterer, with pricing on application. Most crematoriums and cemeteries offer catering facilities. Brisbane City Cemetery catering room hire cost $174, while Invocare locations (Albany Creek and Mt Thompson) charge $250 each. Extended gatherings incur additional director time at $250 per hour. Some families prefer home gatherings for intimate settings.
Consider attendance numbers, dietary requirements, and venue capacity when planning with your funeral director.
24. How do I write a funeral notice?
Death notices formally announce someone’s passing and provide essential information for those who knew the deceased. Include full name, date of birth, photo, date of death, and funeral service details. Immediate family or close friends typically handle this responsibility with sensitivity and accuracy. Publish in newspapers (approximately $550) or online platforms like mytributes and Deaths&funerals. Death notices are brief announcements rather than detailed obituaries. Many funeral homes assist with writing and placement.
We share guidance about writing funeral notices here.
25. What should I include in a eulogy?
A meaningful eulogy should include personal memories capturing their unique personality and character. Share specific stories demonstrating who they were and what made them special. Include key accomplishments, life milestones, and important relationships showing their impact on family, friends, and community. Mention core values, beliefs, and principles that guided their decisions. Discuss their lasting legacy and express gratitude for their positive contributions. Keep between 3-5 minutes, maintain a respectful yet celebratory tone, and practice delivery beforehand to honour their memory appropriately.
For more writing tips, read our article on 4 Tips for Writing a Eulogy.
26. Who do you have to notify when someone dies?
Death notifications involve multiple organisations and individuals requiring prompt contact, including:
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- Immediate family, friends, the deceased’s doctor, employer, and church
- Financial institutions including banks, superannuation funds, and insurance companies
- Government agencies such as Centrelink, Medicare, Taxation Department, Electoral Office, and Department of Transport
- Essential services like electricity, gas, telephone companies, and local council
- Healthcare providers, clubs, solicitor, accountant, and household services need updating
Some notifications have time limits affecting benefits, so it’s best to be timely with contacting the above people and organisations.
Professional funeral directors provide comprehensive checklists of who to notify.
27. Who can/should conduct the funeral?
In Queensland, anyone can legally conduct funeral services with no mandatory qualifications required. However, most families choose experienced professionals for grief guidance. Options include:
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- religious ministers following faith traditions ($200-500 donations)
- civil celebrants creating personalised ceremonies ($400-800)
- family members or friends (free but requiring public speaking confidence)
- or qualified funeral directors
Choose based on beliefs, comfort level, and ceremony style. Popular celebrants book weeks ahead, so plan early considering their grief support experience and cultural sensitivity.
28. When do you bring in clothes for your loved one?
Clothing should be delivered during your initial arrangement appointment or at least 24 hours before any viewing or service, allowing our care team adequate preparation time for dignified presentation. Earlier delivery is welcome, especially for complex outfits or special requests. Items can be delivered until the morning of service if needed. For direct cremation services, clothing delivery is more flexible since there’s no viewing timeline pressure. Many families prefer bringing clothing 2-3 days early to avoid last-minute stress.
29. What type of coffins are available?
Anton Brown Funerals offers coffin options for different budgets. Essential Care starts at $660 for dignified basic coverage. Premium selections include Teak ($1,200) with satin finish, Sapele ($1,690) in dark walnut, White Pearl ($1,725) in high gloss white, and Rosewood ($1,975) with double raised design. All premium coffins feature veneered particleboard with fully lined interiors. Our team provides compassionate showroom guidance to help families choose appropriately.
See our full coffin range and pricing.
Anton Brown Funerals: the trusted choice for Brisbane families
Your family deserves compassionate care, transparent pricing, and genuine support. At Anton Brown Funerals, we understand every question comes from love and wanting to do right by your loved one. We welcome these conversations because they help us provide caring, transparent service your family needs.
Our Brisbane team is available 24/7 to answer questions with patience and understanding. Contact Anton Brown Funerals at (07) 3217 3088 for support honouring your loved one’s memory and your family’s wellbeing.
